Repository for construction details and operational software for a compact linear rheometer for integrated rheomicroscopy studies.
ShearView is a compact, open-source linear rheometer for integrated rheomicroscopy, designed to enable both stress- and strain-controlled shear experiments while remaining fully compatible with optical microscopy.
The design, validation, and application of ShearView are described in the following publication:
Kalafatakis, N., and Cerbino, R.
ShearView: A compact stress- and strain-controlled linear rheometer for integrated rheomicroscopy.
Journal of Rheology 70(1), 165–181 (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1122/8.0001101
If you use ShearView, its design, or the software provided in this repository in your research, please cite the publication above.
We also kindly ask users of ShearView to acknowledge the use of the platform and this repository in any resulting scientific publications, presentations, or derived works.
The numbered components are: (1) Breadboard base (MB3030/M, Thorlabs), machined to fit a commercial microscope stage; (2) Micrometric screws, used to align the breadboard base horizontally; (3) Linear voice-coil actuator (Moticont LVCM-013-032-02), applying force via magnetic actuation; (4) Linear air bearing (Physik Instrumente A-101.050), enabling frictionless translation of the moving plate; (5) Fiber-optic displacement sensor (Philtec D100), measuring displacement via reflected infrared light; (6) Gold-coated mirror (Thorlabs PF03-03-M01, mounted on Thorlabs MFM7/M), used as reflective target for the displacement sensor; (7) Micrometric adjustment screws (F6MSS25 with F6MSSN1P bushings, Thorlabs) used to set the gap and fine tune the alignment between the two microscope slides; (8) Locking screws, used to rigidly fix the lower structure after alignment; (9) Upper microscope slide, mounted on the moving stage; (10) Lower microscope slide supporting structure, fixed to the stationary base and serving as sample support.